Are you a pitmaster?

jfletcher84 · 01-02-2013, 02:56 PM

I considers myself a novice. I only know anything about que because of the Brethren. I love to que but I have only begun to scratch the surface. So do you consider yourself a pitmaster? When was it that you became one and how. was it winning a competition or at some other point?

N8man · 01-02-2013, 03:03 PM

yes....

cricky101 · 01-02-2013, 03:09 PM

Absolutely. And I have the apron to prove it.

BBQ Bandit · 01-02-2013, 03:10 PM

Yes...

We all started (at one time) with an ignorant view what the definition of BBQ was...

Its a combined resultant of a few trains of thought;
1. Mastery of one's pit without electronic assistance.
2. Its the cook, not the cooker.

Boils down to one's skillset... and have learned, burned, and earned the foundation right here within this forum.

bigabyte · 01-02-2013, 03:13 PM

Good question.

I have become one with the pit.

So have I mastered the pit, or has the pit mastered me?

I guess I'm either a pitmaster or a pitbitch.

JS-TX · 01-02-2013, 03:13 PM

I guess it depends on your definition of pitmaster. If it's somebody that has mastered their pit(s) and can put out pretty good Q on a consistent basis.. then yes.

jrn · 01-02-2013, 03:20 PM

Am I a pitmaster? Couldn't say. I just know its my passion, obsession, and something I have to do!!!

chad · 01-02-2013, 03:37 PM

Yep, like others said...time and effort (I don't ever "practice") result in you putting out quality que and hence a "pitmaster". Will I be the next Aaron Franklin, Myron Mixon, or Dr. BBQ, nope...but I've learned a lot of the trade practices and put them to good use. Oh, and competing against those guys helps, too!

Several things stand out when I meet real, honest to gosh, pitmasters:
1. They are usually humble - about all BUT their BBQ.

2. They can cook quality que on a $79 Lowes ECB or a mega-thousand dollar, gold plated, eye-candy, powder coated rig: electric, gas, charcoal, pellet, chunks, chips, or sticks...if it involves heat and meat - they are "game on".
3. They won't usually tell you how bad your que is!

(got back to #1)
4. They are talented and the best are not "one trick ponies". Any meat, any time, any cooker, any day...
Those are my pitmaster heroes.

daninnewjersey · 01-02-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ Bandit

Yes...

We all started (at one time) with an ignorant view what the definition of BBQ was...
Its a combined resultant of a few trains of thought;
1. Mastery of one's pit without electronic assistance.
2. Its the cook, not the cooker.
Boils down to one's skillset... and have learned, burned, and earned the foundation right here within this forum.

Couldn't have said it better myself.....

Bluebird · 01-02-2013, 03:43 PM

I wouldn't say I am, I just love to cook for myself and family over hot coals.

Harbormaster · 01-02-2013, 03:46 PM

It's not a question I'm comfortable answering in the affirmative.

Plenty of guys on here could tell ya whether they think I am or not.

bigabyte · 01-02-2013, 03:48 PM

Harbormaster is indeed a pitmaster. Someday I wish to be more like him!

Actually, I've never tried his food. I just wanted to be humble. He did send me a cool ass hat though!

So that counts for something!

Enkidu · 01-02-2013, 03:51 PM

I consider myself more of a pitacolyte.

Bludawg · 01-02-2013, 03:51 PM

After 30 + years I consider my self a well seasoned apprentice, I learn something new with every cook.

Arlin_MacRae · 01-02-2013, 03:53 PM

To me a pitmaster is someone who can handle any piece of meat and any unexpected circumstance thrown at him or her and end up with great Q.

01-02-2013, 03:03 PM	#2
N8man Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-09-07 Location: God's Country Ossipee-Osceola NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	yes.... __________________ N8man Average Joe Backyard Enthusiast How I Fire Up That Ugly DrumPit Smoker!!!!

01-02-2013, 03:10 PM	#4
BBQ Bandit Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-15-08 Location: Harrisburg, PA Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Yes... We all started (at one time) with an ignorant view what the definition of BBQ was... Its a combined resultant of a few trains of thought; 1. Mastery of one's pit without electronic assistance. 2. Its the cook, not the cooker. Boils down to one's skillset... and have learned, burned, and earned the foundation right here within this forum. __________________ Bacon should be capitalized as a pronoun for pork! A BBQ Servant; cooking for the Troops, Churches, and Charity Operation BBQ Relief founding member Lang 84 Deluxe Kitchen known as "The Glamazon" Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, and Bubba Keg Grill - RIP Last edited by BBQ Bandit; 01-02-2013 at 03:38 PM..

01-02-2013, 03:13 PM	#5
bigabyte somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-10-06 Location: Overland Fark, KS Downloads: 1 Uploads: 1	Good question. I have become one with the pit. So have I mastered the pit, or has the pit mastered me? I guess I'm either a pitmaster or a pitbitch. __________________ Chris Baker For great food and and an even better time join the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns *First ever recipient of the Silverfinger Award!* Yes, I own a whole bunch of BBQ crap also. *Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Get your MOINK Certification today!* The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club member

01-02-2013, 03:20 PM	#7
jrn Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-30-12 Location: Quitman, Ms Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Am I a pitmaster? Couldn't say. I just know its my passion, obsession, and something I have to do!!! __________________ UDS, mini wsm

01-02-2013, 03:37 PM	#8
chad somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-13-03 Location: Clearwater, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yep, like others said...time and effort (I don't ever "practice") result in you putting out quality que and hence a "pitmaster". Will I be the next Aaron Franklin, Myron Mixon, or Dr. BBQ, nope...but I've learned a lot of the trade practices and put them to good use. Oh, and competing against those guys helps, too! Several things stand out when I meet real, honest to gosh, pitmasters: 1. They are usually humble - about all BUT their BBQ. 2. They can cook quality que on a $79 Lowes ECB or a mega-thousand dollar, gold plated, eye-candy, powder coated rig: electric, gas, charcoal, pellet, chunks, chips, or sticks...if it involves heat and meat - they are "game on". 3. They won't usually tell you how bad your que is! (got back to #1) 4. They are talented and the best are not "one trick ponies". Any meat, any time, any cooker, any day... Those are my pitmaster heroes. __________________ Dave Southern Brethren BBQ Competition Team "It's all about getting paid!" - Myron Mixon "I love being hated in my hometown!" - David Hair KingFisher Gator Rotisserie cooker, WSM, Stainless 5 burner with IR gas grill, Turkey Fryer, Weber JD Commemorative grill, slightly used Bandera chamber for future use as a cold smoker, Masterbuilt 40" insulated ELECTRIC smoker

01-02-2013, 02:56 PM	#1
jfletcher84 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-18-11 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Are you a pitmaster? I considers myself a novice. I only know anything about que because of the Brethren. I love to que but I have only begun to scratch the surface. So do you consider yourself a pitmaster? When was it that you became one and how. was it winning a competition or at some other point? __________________ James ECB, UDS, Mini-WSM, OTS.

01-02-2013, 03:09 PM	#3
cricky101 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-14-10 Location: St. Paul, MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Absolutely. And I have the apron to prove it.

01-02-2013, 03:13 PM	#6
JS-TX is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-17-10 Location: San Antonio, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I guess it depends on your definition of pitmaster. If it's somebody that has mastered their pit(s) and can put out pretty good Q on a consistent basis.. then yes.

01-02-2013, 03:43 PM	#10
Bluebird Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-11-12 Location: Floyd Va Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I wouldn't say I am, I just love to cook for myself and family over hot coals. __________________ Weber 18.5"OTS, Weber SS Performer, 18.5" WSM, Chargriller Akorn & Weber Genesis.

01-02-2013, 03:46 PM	#11
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's not a question I'm comfortable answering in the affirmative. Plenty of guys on here could tell ya whether they think I am or not. __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

01-02-2013, 03:48 PM	#12
bigabyte somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-10-06 Location: Overland Fark, KS Downloads: 1 Uploads: 1	Harbormaster is indeed a pitmaster. Someday I wish to be more like him! Actually, I've never tried his food. I just wanted to be humble. He did send me a cool ass hat though! So that counts for something! __________________ Chris Baker For great food and and an even better time join the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns *First ever recipient of the Silverfinger Award!* Yes, I own a whole bunch of BBQ crap also. *Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Get your MOINK Certification today!* The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club member

01-02-2013, 03:51 PM	#13
Enkidu Take a breath! Join Date: 06-12-12 Location: Los Angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I consider myself more of a pitacolyte. __________________ 22" OTG; 22" Performer; mini-WSM; Brinkmann gasser; UDS (on the way); Maverick ET-732

01-02-2013, 03:51 PM	#14
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	After 30 + years I consider my self a well seasoned apprentice, I learn something new with every cook. __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

01-02-2013, 03:53 PM	#15
Arlin_MacRae Moderator Join Date: 04-14-04 Location: Choctaw, OK Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	To me a pitmaster is someone who can handle any piece of meat and any unexpected circumstance thrown at him or her and end up with great Q. __________________ Arlin MacRae NB El Dorado Offset, Primo Oval Junior, Traeger Model 075 Pellet Pooper, Big Chief, Kingfisher Kooker 14" gas/wood combo, PBC Brethren Edition Home Brewer, Murderer of Squirrels, Armadillo Inspector Flaming Pig Head Mod Black (Stealth) Thermapen Driver - you saw NOTHING Certified KCBS BBQ Judge Missin' KC...